I need you to cast your mind back to the last time you stayed in a great hotel .

Remember that feeling when you opened the door? You dropped your bags, jumped on the plump cushions on the perfectly made bed. You peaked inside the bathroom and gave it a secret rating before popping that complimentary chocolate in your mouth and assessing (but not yet disturbing) the contents of the mini bar.

Some people tell me they’re not fussed about fancy hotels - it’s just somewhere to sleep. I don’t get that. In fact I’d go as far as to say as those people don’t look after other people as much as I do. Because if they did, they would totally appreciate the absolute bliss of feeling like someone is looking after them.

If you’re with me on this one, you probably do this at home too. You light candles when you’re expecting guests. You make sure there are clean sheets on the spare bed, fresh towels in the bathroom. You might even splash out on an extra bunch of Tesco’s finest flowers to make the place feel special for your visitors. Well listen up, Buttercup. Why don’t YOU deserve the five star service? Hmmm? … Newsflash - YOU DO.

Part of my brief for our master bedroom renovation was to give it that hotel wow factor. I worked out that, essentially, that meant less clutter, well considered lighting, statement art …but most of all, a bed that feels luxurious and makes us feel looked after.

Getting deep into sleep

Now I have been planning this blog post for a while now. I am completely, 100% passionate about the need to give your home that five star factor and become a sanctuary in which you can escape. Otherwise, isn’t interior design just about making it look pretty? I’m sure there’s more to it than that.

Life is stressful (well ours is anyway) and it’s important that when you come home you feel relaxed and re-energised. I’ve read a lot about this in books about Self Care too. My favourite being Self Care for the Real World, in which writers Nadia Narain and Katia Narain Phillips encourage us to try and find the budget for a few things in the home that give you that looked after feeling. These are things you can treat yourself to occasionally (flowers, candles) or things you should invest in over time.

So here’s how I tackled the bed situation, hoping that if i got that bit right, then the chances are, we’d start our busy day on the right foot and end it in a good way too.

Obviously a decent bed is crucial to this. We bought our Darcy bed from Loaf a few years’ ago and invested in a great mattress at the same time. Loaf don’t offer a zillion choices of mattress. They offer five really bloody good ones that make it easy for you to decide which to buy.

Made in Britain, because we’re the best at it apparently, all Loaf mattresses are pocket sprung and made of natural fibres, rather than smelly, man made memory foam. Check out the different varieties on offer here: www.loaf.com

Ours has been a gradual room upgrade and after complaining of being both too hot and too cold in recent months, I decided this year I would splash out on a wool duvet. Now if you’re after a big, squidgy duvet that weighs equivalent to a small car, then wool is not for you. It’s thin and it sits flat on the bed to the point that you could possibly iron on it. But the thing about wool is that it keeps you warm in winter and cool in summer. And if you don’t believe me, ask the sheep.

Dress to Impress

Dressing my bed has become a bit of an obsession. I purposely went for a neutral colour scheme on the walls so that I could play about with a riot of colours in the room. In summer I was all about the bright blue florals but now the nights have drawn in and we rarely see the room in daylight, I’ve heaped on the jewel tones.

House Babylon knows all about the importance of bringing that hotel feeling home. Its 100% Egyptian cotton bed sets are available in 300 or 600 thread count (the number of threads per square inch of fabric in case you are interested). There are only two designs to choose from because - well you don’t find patterned duvets in hotels, do you? The Classic and Excellence collections both feature a classic cotton stripe and the super luxe Cairo collection is your five star plain white option featuring swanky contrast edging.

House Babylon kindly gifted my my choice of bedding and - like the hot night porter delivering that nifty little toothpaste set that you forgot to pack - it was a total treat when it dropped on my doorstep.

Mini break in a box - Give the gift that keeps on giving

Special Delivery - Boxed Classic Collection bedding set £85 from House Babylon

At £85 for a full set, including fitted sheet, duvet cover and two pillow cases, the House Babylon Classic Collection is affordable luxury at its very best. If you saw my Instagram stories on the day of delivery, you will know House Babylon bedding arrives in squeal inducing, ribbon tied packaging. It therefore makes a gorgeous gift for a special someone, but what about this for a bespoke and romantic Christmas gift… take advantage of House Babylon’s super-luxe in-house monogramming service and add Santa’s sexiest stocking ever including:

1) Gorgeous underwear

2) Eye mask

3) A box of Hotel Chocolat

5) A ticket to see Kylie Minogue in Scarborough (just me?)

The Jewels in the crown

So here’s my new bedroom all un-wrapped and ready for … er … well just for an average wet Wednesday actually.

I mean, why wait for the weekend for a hotel stay when you can check in whenever the hell you like? Yeah there’ll be a wake-up call and I’m afraid breakfast is self service, but just for a minute, when I open my eyes in the morning, after a deep and restful sleep, I can pull those luxury cotton sheets tight around me and feel just a a little bit more VIP.

What's hot, what's not and what's what at my place.

This week:

House Candy = Black Ache

As an all-white fanatic, unable to fully convert to the popular dark side, this situation has come as a curve ball. I'm even considering a black kitchen. *Feels faint and requires lie down*

Black done the Parisian way in this chic apartment featured on French by Design Blog.

Black kitchen. Image from www.cocolapinedesign.com

When did black become so, well, white? So French, so feminine, so darn summery? It's happened with fashion too.

Black is officially summer appropriate as demonstrated this week by Natalie Portman who has clearly read the memo.

Natalie Portman pictured for Telegraph Fashion at the premiere of her latest film Planetarium in Japan.

An all black dress, with long sleeves... in the height of summer? It shouldn't work, but it DOES. This frock would look equally appropriate in October and yet the parasol says hot. And that's the thing that black can do better than white, which convinces me to take the plunge and invest in a black kitchen. It's the colour that simply can't be last season, the colour that never dates, that is eternally chic, forever French and the easiest colour to seasonally accessorise. New Noir? I'm IN.

Fine and Candy = Black Brows

I've been Microbladed and my brows are BLACK. In fact they're actually going through the scabby phase over the black brows which is even more scary, should you be considering the same.

The good news is, this phase doesn't last long and once it's over, (just a couple of days I promise) I'll be left with the ideal brush stroke brows, faded to a match-perfect natural shade that I've wanted all my grown up life.

Microblading is described as a permanent make up treatment (it lasts 18 months) which means it is essential that you find an expert therapist who knows their Caras from their Kendals.

I went to The Beauty Works in Mirfield, West Yorkshire where Jo insists on a lengthy colour and shape consultation prior to the actual appointment. If you've battled with non-descript brow shape all your life and require some sexy definition (but you too are scared of the word tattoo) Microblading is the way to go. Go google!

Candy Pandy = Black Sheep

Oh Instafam, I love you, I do. But sometimes I feel like the black sheep of the flock - the one following the wrong bloody hashtag!

I mean, by the time I've figured our who to tag, who to follow and what theme we're on this week, the kids have missed their tea and I've missed the deadline. I'm the saddo still stressing over enviable entrance halls when everyone has moved on to fab fireplaces. Any chance I can pay someone to tip me off? There must be a black market for this sort of thing? Please message me if you know someone, who knows someone in the know! #help #hastaghell #latetotheparty

Happy weekend all, thanks for bearing with me through shockingly bad wi-fi issues here at the seaside. Normal service is due to resume next week with some exciting deliveries at House Candy HQ. Watch this space!

I'd like to say this is how the scene setting went when I pitched a bedroom design to my very stylish friend. Truth be told, we were out on a run and she was tapping me up for ideas for wallpaper that was as nice (but not as pricey) as the one she'd just spent the weekend drooling over at a boutique health spa.

"Blackpop" I said, without hesitation. Not to be mistaken for Blackpool of course, which is at the opposite end of this design brief spectrum.

I've been championing Blackpop UK since I set out blogging a couple of years ago. The brand was a bit of an inspiration in fact - possibly the first time I realised an artistic twist on classic design was what got my interior design heart a-ticking. I have rules when it comes to splashing the cash where interiors are concerned and Blackpop's luxury fabric and wallpaper passes my test for all the following reasons:

It's handmade by a small team of passionate artists.

You won't find any trend led design cliche's amongst its pattern books, which means it will stand the test of time.

Design wise, it rocks. Think Kate Moss kicking back in her Cotswolds country pile. Think Kate Middleton re-upholstering an antique chaise as a clever little anniversary gift for Wills. Think Kate Winslet taking a bit of Titanic inspired English grandeur to the Hollywood Hills. Think Katie Price.... um, no we're getting mixed up with Blackpool again.

Blackpop is about faded grandeur, it's about art, heritage, elegance and quirk. It's about effervescent Britishness. Blackpop is sophistication, with a rock star edge and if you're one of those people who likes to namedrop, it's definitely one to know because this name has style kudos in celebrity circles (though I couldn't possibly reveal my sources).

So anyway, chatting Chatty Man wallpaper with my running pal turned into a trip to Redbrick Mill near Leeds, where the client (she'll love that) had her heart set on a beautiful Feather and Black bedroom set.

I'm a huge fan of rattan for all it's French-ness and boho beauty, so the Versailles bedstead and two matching bedside tables got a big thumbs up from me. Before you know it, this whole Chateaux Chic vibe begun to emerge and then we started adding all the fluffy stuff.

If you also need wallpaper advice or help with a decor dilemma, I'd be happy to help and you don't even have to go on a run with me to get it. Just drop me a line at myhousecandy@gmail.com or get me on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.

In the meantime, I'd love your feedback on this little project. Please do get in touch with your comments.

We mothers of sons (MOS) are a formidable lot. We're allowed to be scathing about the mess and the mayhem we have to deal with on a daily basis, but just don't you diss our little Prince, okay? (insert Lioness emoji)

As mother of two Princes, I feel totally qualified to offer advice on interiors that bridge the sometimes cavernous style gap between mother and son. So imagine my delight when a couple of weeks ago I received a lovely email from a fellow MOS asking for my advice on this very subject. Well, specifically on the subject of bigger boy's rooms, since when they reach double figures they start having their own pesky interior design opinions don't they? And the problem is, they have a nasty habit of being different from ours.

I was therefore prompted to write a quick blog post to cover off everything I've learnt so far in my parenting/decorating journey. My aim is to give all my MOS sisters out there a quick reference guide for when they're dragging a reluctant tween or teenager round Ikea and could really do with keeping moaning down to a minimum.

We're fresh from exam week here at House Candy HQ, which has inspired an unusually mathematical approach to this particular blog post, but I'm hoping you'll thank me for it's simplicity. I'm calling it the 4x(S) = Sorted technique. Don't panic it's not rocket science (it's not even interiors science) but it works and It goes like this:

Start a revolution from his bed. Oasis print £6 + shipping by JoeOliver Design from Etsy

S = STORAGE

The good news is, the clutter that comes with little boys reduces in adverse proportion to their height. The bad news is, the clutter gets uglier and smellier.

Where once there were train tracks to store, lego to contain, superheroes to control; now there are trainers to snapchat, caps to collect and school books to randomly scatter over bedroom floors. All of this needs managing and my go-to storage solutions are as follows:

1) Lockers

Lockers Image from Aundraskinner Interiors.

I like the industrial look for boy's rooms. Nothing too shiny or too white because it's guaranteed not to stay that way for very long. Danny Zuko may be to blame, but for me American high school style lockers are the perfect way to trick your son into keeping his school books tidy. This full height set from Maison Du Monde is perfect.

2) Shelves

I'm not sure boys ever grow out of their love of trophies do they? It's therefore worth investing in some cool shelves to put them on. Trophies are dust gatherers, for sure. They are also a b***ard when you accidentally knock one over and it falls on your big toe. My advice (if you can't keep them out of sight), is to keep them way out of reach on rustic style shelves. I haven't personally tried this old crate/shelf solution, but if I were a more able DIY-er, I totally would.

Shelves made from vintage crates or drawers. Image from Interieur.fr

3) Solid Drawers

I have a problem with flat pack furniture. No matter how well it's put together the force with which my boys pull on handles (no pun intended) means that the front of the drawer will eventually come off. That's why I'd much rather buy an old, solid set of vintage drawers than a cheap modern flat pack kit.

That said, sometimes, old drawers can be hassle too. The drawers need to run smoothly otherwise they will forever be hanging out. They also need to be a modern size and shape to fit with most bedrooms and sometimes, to get exactly what you want, you have to splash the cash. I love Loaf's bedroom furniture for it's combo of vintage style and practicality that both mother and son can get on board with.

4) Under bed storage boxes

Their hot dogs do nothing for me, but I have yet to leave Ikea without that sense of fulfilment that comes with loading one of their many storage boxes into my boot. These zipp-able, boxes on wheels are perfect for the mates' sleepover bedding, spare shoes, winter woolies etc that can be kept nicely out of sight, through closed season.

S = STUDIES

Trust me, adore him as you do, you'll want your little Prince out of the way when he is doing his homework. All that huffing and puffing is draining, and when you finally snap and spill your late afternoon vodka on his French written exam you'll hate yourself for it. (Don't judge okay, I've been a stay at home mum a LONG time)

A decent desk and chair is a must for a teen room. I picked up a vintage leather swivel chair for £8 at my first every auction and I still can't believe my luck. I teamed it with the cheapest (and chicest) white Ikea trestle, proving that you don't have to spend a fortune to get a hip, eclectic vibe going on.

If you've got a reasonable budget however, Made.com is the place to go for modern, stylish desks that will suit pupil and pocket. Try these for size:

S = SLEEP

When it comes to bedding, go plain, go non-iron, go frequent wash friendly. I've got a grey cotton jersey set in both boy's rooms and they absolutely love it for the comfort factor, although I do get concerned about the sweat situation in summer. Another look I love and one which works brilliantly well in older boy's rooms is washed linen. Don't try ironing it, that dishelved look is what we're aiming for here - and in fact what we're likely to be embracing for the forseeable future.

A couple of cushions is still a nice way to dress the beds and here's a nice idea to make them personal to the child.

These two bad boys were made from my husband's vintage football jumpers, which is a super nifty way to ensure that:

a) You can acknowledge the football thing without totally compromising on taste

b) You can be sure your husband never, EVER wears a St George cross football jumper again.

S = SHIZZ

No, I haven't quite run out of S words, in fact this final one is probably the most important on my lad's room check list. You see, Shizz (cap S) is what gives a room individuality and as our kids grow up with intense social media pressure to look and act a certain way, it's the MOS duty to totally celebrate their individuality.

It was a special moment three weeks ago when my son came to me with his birthday money and a screen shot of an art print he'd sourced on Etsy. Whatever he'd have gone for, I would have tried to embrace, in the hope that his involvement with creating his personal space might eventually encourage him to keep it tidy.* Anyway, the fact that George chose a cartoon style image of the Gallagher brothers in their 90s heydey, well let's just say I may have shed a proud tear or two.

If you've seen my Instagram feed recently you'll know that I've also treated myself to an Oasis inspired artwork, this super cool Patti Robbin's Don't Look back in Anger print.

What was once the theme tune to my student days, has since became the antidote anthem to the Manchester terror attack and 100% sales of this print, available from www.nickiekelly.com goes to support the victims. It's therefore the most supersonic artwork money can buy and - I'm biting my tongue but I just can't stop it - your son's love for you will surely Live Forever if you click here to order yours. Sorry Liam, I'm cooler than that, honest.

George's collection of baseball caps, most of which he doesn't wear but can't possibly part with causes me beef. But hey, I've decided to roll with it (really?) and have installed a long row of hooks for him to display them on, similar to the one below which is shown alongside another brilliant storage/artform solution for trainers.

Of course your son/s will have their own particular Shizz and thinking of a tasteful way to control it, let alone a solution beginning with the letter S may be sending your stress levels soaring. If that's the case, drop me a line and I'll do my best to help. See, we may be neurotic and slightly aggressive, in a don't-mess-with-my-cubs kind of way, but we MOS sisters understand one another, right? That's why I'm totally here for you, to lend a compassionate ear and a supersized bottle of Fabreeze.

Anglian Homes is giving you the chance to bag yourself £1,000 in an online interior styling competition, which in my book is the perfect excuse to faff around at home taking pictures.

To enter, all you have to do is take a photo of somewhere in your home that you have styled yourself and post it to their website, Instagram, Twitter or Facebook feed using the hashtag #STLEDBYME

It could be a piece of up-cycled furniture that you particularly proud of, a whole new kitchen update that you have undertaken or just a cute vignette from your home that demonstrates your unique styling prowess.

Here's my first entry (and you can expect a lot more since there's no limit to entries right up until 18th June). This is a vintage display cabinet that is now home to my favourite shoe collection. I had some mirrored glass fixed onto the back to give it some extra glamour and used a couple of my tried and tested styling props to make it insta-worthy.

If you need a helping hand, try these top tips for styling up a sideboard or cabinet:

1) Use a colour pop to attract attention (this yellow bag is a winner)

2) Prop pictures or mirrors up against the wall rather than having a big space between the furniture and a wall hanging.

3) Get the right mix of old and new so it doesn't look too dated, twee or catalogue perfect.

4) If in doubt, add a plant.

5) Employ the old book stacking trick to get varying heights going on.

Don't forget to addd your location to your post because there is also a regional prize of £500 up for grabs which would come in really handy for the ultimate weapon in your styling armour ...

I know your type, you're a Parquet Perv aren't you? You've got whole entire Pinterest boards devoted to the stuff. You want it so bad you catch yourself thinking about walking all over it in 6 inch stiletto heels, then you have to splash yourself with tap water and tell yourself it's okay, it was just a bad dream; in your house everyone will be made to wear slippers.

Take me to bed Chevron parquet in Bedroom 16 Montagu Square, By D-Raw

I get you, because I'm a Parquet Perv too. I have been for over ten years, since I took possession of my house keys, raced over the threshold, heart pounding as I ripped back the flea ridden burgundy Axminster to find... some b***ards had ripped out a full Victorian dining room of the stuff and flogged the lot on Ebay. Cue heartbreak.

I won't settle in this house until parquet is back where it belongs and at last I have found the perfect opportunity, with some exciting new build plans in the offing at House Candy HQ. This all calls for extra Parquet Porn as I research the styles and options available. Want to see? Oh I bet you do, you filthy ....

Parquet Particulars

Parquet Porn pinched from www.lovingit.pl

Parquet is made of small, loose blocks of either solid or engineered wood and is characterised by a repeating, geometric laying pattern. This style of floor has been around for centuries and can be found anywhere; from country homes, to grand public buildings and retro school halls. Technically speaking, parquet has all the advantages of solid wood, but is designed to make a style statement.

The Herringbone pattern is highly en vogue right now and looks elegant and sophisticated in both light...

Most wood parquet is made from oak, pine, ash and walnut, but you can find exotic species available at equally exotic prices if you're looking for something a little different.

Reclaimed or engineered?

Personally I like the idea of a true Victorian parquet to replicate what would have been in my dining room originally (of course I'd like it even better if the original hadn't been ripped up, but there we go... move on Claire).

Reclaimed parquet offers unbeatable authenticity and character, but before you go bid happy on Ebay and bag yourself a chunk of the old Town Hall, be sure to know what exactly you are buying and the work involved in the sale.

For example, a stunning ex-school parquet floor, up for a bargain quick sale, may actually involve you taking the blocks up yourself. Even if there is a tempting picture of the blocks all neatly stacked on a pallet, bear in mind that they may need sanding down (yes all 6 surfaces) and bitumen removing before they can be treated and re-laid. That's a lot of elbow grease and a LOT of mess. Totally worth the bragging rights if you've got the time and skills to do the job properly, but if not, look out for firms like aptly named Parquet Flooring who will supply required quantities of ready-to-lay reclaimed parquet blocks for a nominal extra charge.

What if you move in a house and discover you have got parquet under the old carpet (yay) but it's in the more old fashioned pattern of basketweave (boo).

Imagination is required, and maybe a bit of professional help, but with luck on your side it can still look amazing, in a retro kind of way.

Cheat or Chic?

Now if I say the word laminate you're going to go all funny on me aren't you? Don't panic, I won't go there. But I will talk about click together parquet planks that no one would ever know was not the real thing. Richmond Engineered Herringbone Click Parquet Oak may sound like a bit of a mouthful, but is so simple to lay it means you can have a roomful down in a day.

I know, I know, it's not wood....it costs the same as the real stuff... why would you? Because you're a Parquet Perv, that's why. And it's a practical option for a lavish bathroom or a chic kitchen and if you/I can't have 50 SqM of stunning real wood reclaimed parquet anywhere else in the house, then for God's sakes let us have a few square metres of looky-likely parquet to enjoy whilst we're on the loo. Deal?

So that's where I'm at. Still perving, still pinning, still pining for a parquet floor to grace my new entrance hall and kitchen/diner. Where are you on the parquet porn scale? Fancy it too, or does it bring back too many memories of school dinners? I'd love to know your thoughts on the subject. Please do drop me a line in the comments section or connect via any of the social media links below.

Oh and if anyone is completely turned OFF by their original parquet and will be glad to see the back of it, please drop me a message, like NOW!

"Good Vibes" - So chilled, so roll-with-it, so Urban Outfitters as it happens; a brand which I've never known to be anything other than thoroughly on-trend. So it stunned me slightly to find that this month Elle Decoration declared the war with words officially over via its style barometer.

Good Vibes are not the only vibes I've been flaunting around my gaff either. I've also been keen to remind my beloved fellow housemates to:

Love...

Honour...

and Obey...

So does Elle Decoration spell silence for the sofas? Should we wave bye-bye to wisdom on our walls? And heaven forbid no more subliminal notes in neon? I for one will fight for freedom of interior speech with my last breath. And maybe with one last cushion:

Fine & Candy = Fashion Statement

Good Mood T Shirt Zadig et Voltaire

This week I did my first #OOTD on Instagram and this t-shirt is to blame. Yep, not content with sharing my considered opinion in blog form, here I am preaching to the world via the bourgeoise medium of designer t-shirt. So troll me! You're right after all, it's only one snooty step away from declaring the end of the world is nigh via a sandwich board outside HSBC, but y'know... all in the name of fashion...

Candy Pandy = Tongue on Cheek

Peachy tattoo via http://www.pinterest.com/slufoot/

Don't get me wrong, I totally would if I could. Fact is, the dimples may detract from the sentiment and I hate for a pertinent message to um, sag. Don't you?

Keep spreading the word people. Whatever medium you choose, say it loud, say it proud and (for max respect), say it stylishly. Please share this post if you too are a bit gobby in your gaff.

I'm in limbo. I hate my poky entrance hallway (again) and yet I've been told it's likely to be next year until the builders can fit me in for my big renovation plan. I need a cheap solution to perk things up and see me through just one more summer.

It's a big ask for a small carpet and yet I've convinced myself that a super colourful hall runner is the answer to my prayers.

Pink to make the hall wink. Image from RugPal.com

As this is a temporary measure, I'm on a particularly tight budget. In fact, it needs to cost less than the pair of blush pink leather brogues I've been eyeing up to bridge that other annoying time lapse until the warmer weather arrives.

I know, I know and thank you for your concern. It's a sad day when a woman must forfeit her footwear for her floor. But sometimes we homeowners have to take one for the team, don't we? Unless of course, we can find exactly what we are looking for, for such an bargainous sum that there are still plenty of pennies left in the shoe fund. Now that would be clever.

Oh Hello Petal

This Stina floral runner is a measley £31.50 now that Urban Outfitters have been kind enough to slash the price. Faded out florals give it a lovely vintagey look that is so feminine it might just detract from the aroma of sweaty trainers wafting from the shoe cupboard. It is lightweight and cotton which means I'll chance it on a cool wash once in a while and ... wait a second... blow me if it doesn't go perfectly with those blush pink brogues. 'Cos we all match our shoes to our hall runners, right?

In my book there's nothing like a dash of pink to pretty things up a little. Call back soon to see if it does the trick.

Happy Monday all. If I can help perk up your week and address any niggly interior woes, please drop me a line in the comments section. I would love to hear from you.

I haven't experienced WAG envy on this scale since Victoria Beckham's Team Baden-Baden taught the world a lesson in girl squad manners back in 2006.

Michelle Keegan's portrayal of Tina Moore (wife of World Cup '66 hero Bobby) in the ITV series Tina and Bobby has stirred something inside. Not just Inside my heart, not even limited to inside my wardrobe, but inside my entire home. I want a bit of that late sixties/early seventies WAG (SWAG as it now needs to be known) at House Candy HQ and I'm turning to the celebrated retro-glam interior designer David Hicks for inspo.

A classic David Hicks designed living space

Contrasting textures define Hicks' style, with deep shag pile carpets balancing out the shiny surfaces and angular shapes of furniture typical of this era. Orangey browns and rusty red leathers that remind me (in a good way) of Starsky and Hutch are punctuated with pops of glossy turquoise. Leafy house plants, low hung, slightly random wall art and patterned curtains rock a retro vibe that my sources tell me is set to make a significant comeback this year.

And it is this kind of SWAG - a retro & therefore infinitely cooler version of today's luxed up footballer's wife style, that we were invited to swoon over in Tina and Bobby. In particular, it was their last marital home, the dream 70s open plan new build that made me long for life back when there were only 3 TV channels, telephones were attached to curly wires and it was the done thing to barbeque in 6 inch platform knee boots.

Here's some ideas I'm considering to help me bring a bit of retro-glam SWAG to my pad:

1) Cladding

Image from Pinterest

I'm thinking of putting the flooring up the wall when/if the kitchen extension ever happens (unlike Tina and Bobby, we're having to save up see). The ceilings will be lower there and the modern contrast will create a cool kind of cosiness in an otherwise featureless new-build area.

2) Contrast Piping

Image from Elizabeth Horlemann

I've been hunting for the perfect low, boxy sofa for some time and having failed to find it, I've decided instead to get my 11 year old Habitat Sydney sofa recovered in velvet and add some contrast piping. Tina and Bobby had a similar look in the TV series, complete with fringing which I'm also absolutely mad for, but am saving for another project. See below.

3) Fringing

I fancy a day bed. Welllllll, it's the perfect place for a SWAG to get her pedicure done and with this fringing no one will ever know that I'm way too posh to hoover under the furniture.

3) Kitchen Hatch

OK so this probably won't happen, but I SO like the idea of decanting my M&S ready meals in the privacy of the kitchen then serving them to an adoring dinner party without them ever needing to know the secret behind my Chicken Chasseur.

4) Flos IC lighting

If Flos IC lighting were a celebrity, I'd be its stalker. Ball shaped pendant lights were big in the 70s but can somebody tell me in what era these simple, elegant yet not at all ostentatious beauties would look out of place, because I can't think of any.

Here Flos look stunning in a period panelled setting, an image I've been staring at for far too long already today. These babies are earmarked for my hallway and that's a fact.

So Tina, you can keep the diamond rings. I'm not fussed for the fancy cars and as for the wealthy, good looking football hero of a husband... pah! what a let down he turned out to be. But I do like your retro WAGishness lady. I love your bo-ho dresses and since adopting your beehive, my fine hair has a whole new lease of life. I love your SWAG Tina Moore (or at least I love Michelle Keegan's version of your SWAG) And I'd LOVE for you to bob round to my place for Babychams so we can talk the Dralon and tassles off each other.

I was having a peacock week last week. First it was the theme of a few random flea market finds and then this image leapt out at me on Instagram.

Jo Goodman's stunning on trend peacock designs available from MayRose Vintage on Etsy

Peacocks are natures' most notorious show offs, which makes them the perfect emblem for Coventry based designer and maker Jo Goodman to woo us with, in this, the first interview for my new Candy Floss feature. Here I aim to bring you the insider goss (Candy Floss = Goss in my own personal rhyming slang btw) from some of the most exciting designers, makers and brands that are currently catching my eye.

I'm a sucker for vintage fabrics, but whenever I've tried to incorporate them into soft furnishings, it's all gone a bit Cath Kidston - not necessarily a bad thing, but not nearly as edgy as I'd like. Jo manages to strike an altogether more modern chord with MayRose Vintage. Her unique collection of handmade cushions and lampshades marry Gothic, Victorian and Retro influences to ensure a seriously cool departure from traditional shabby chic.

Like Cath Kidston however, there's a strong identity to Jo's brand and it's one she is passionate about developing. To this aim she trawls the internet and second hand markets for the perfect fabrics to convey the MayRose Vintage message - a look she describes as "dark style with a hint of kitsch and a splash of opulence.

Working from home part-time means Jo can surround herself with her most treasured items and feel totally engrossed in her work. This may be a one off commission or a new sample design to try out on her avid Instagram followers.

There is a downside to working from home however and that's the issue of storage. "Lampshades are not the easiest to store!`" says Jo, "I tend to make a sample & then make them to order."

Six months ago Jo took the plunge and reduced her hours at work so that she could concentrate more on her business. It was a daunting prospect, but one that thankfully has paid off in a relatively short space of time. Customers from as far afield as Australia have been in contact and it's the buzz of positive feedback that keeps Jo going when the going gets tough.

"I love that my products appeal to a particular kind of buyer - people who are looking for individuality and want to make a statement in their home but also have a genuine appreciation of homemade goods, and share my love of interior design" said Jo.

To say that Jo has a vision is a bit of an understatement. She is due to get married in September and plans to do all the flowers & decorations herself so that the whole event has the Mayrose Vintage stamp on it.

It's this passionate identity that makes Jo's designs stand out in an incredibly tough marketplace and for me, gives MayRose Vintage a kind of sophistocated sass you'd expect from established high end brands such as House Of Hackney.

But the big difference is the price point. Cushions start from as little as £20 and lampshades at around £35. Jo is a self confessed cushion obsessive (she likes to see at least 5 or 6 on a bed) and at these prices, fellow cushion lovers can afford to become collectors.

"Cushions are the easiest way to re-dress a room," Jo points out. And I don't know about you, but I can certainly feel a Spring re-dress coming on.

So apart from gaining a husband, two children and a new cockapoo puppy this year (Polly Jean is named after PJ Harvey which makes her cute and cool and therefore totally on-brand) what does the future hold for MayRose Vintage?

Expansion of course! "Etsy is great for attracting overseas buyers, but little known in the UK," said Jo. "I'd like to expand my range and sell in independent interiors shops which would provide greater opportunities to meet my customers - their feedback is crucial in helping me develop the brand."

Only four years ago, Jo was making vintage assemlage jewellery as a hobby and having lost heart with it, tried out a few cushion covers for a change. Today she is carving out a name for herself in the world of interior design and looking to spread her wings - and her peacock feathers - in the industry she loves.

Find MayRose Vintage products on Etsy or follow Jo on Instagram to keep up to date with all the latest designs and product releases.

Want to be featured on Candy Floss and spread the goss on your brand? I'm all eyes and ears (and ok a bit sweaty palms) so please do get in touch by clicking on one of the social icons down the side and shooting me a message.